Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
The Syrian army retakes Palmyra – and looks to the east Brian M Downing The ceasefire in the Syrian civil war has held far better than most observers thought possible. The Syrian army has used the lull in fighting to attack Palmyra, which has been held by ISIL – a Read More …
Another fighting season in Afghanistan – and perhaps a decisive one Brian M Downing The Afghan war is seasonal. Fighting begins in the spring and relents in the early winter, though warmer weather this year protracted the fighting. Last year was the Taliban’s best showing in years. It demonstrated surprising Read More …
War, peace, and Islam today Brian M Downing Not all followers of Islam hate the West. Nor do even a majority of followers. Polling data in the Islamic world show no great hostility toward the US, only opposition to many US policies. Islam is far from a religion of peace. Read More …
Meir Dagan died today. He spent his life in the Israeli military and in Mossad. He was highly critical of Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud, especially its foreign policy. He famously called Netanyahu’s claims about Iran’s nuclear program “bullshit”. Below is a piece I wrote on him in 2012. When Meir Read More …
Putin pulls back in Syria Brian M Downing As unexpectedly as it sent forces into Syria last fall, Russia is now withdrawing them – or least it has begun to. Monday’s announcement referred to the “main part” being pulled out. What has the short-lived deployment accomplished? What lies ahead for Read More …
Ebb tide for democracy in the world? Brian M Downing Democracy was on the rise not long ago. In 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed and democracies replaced politburos. Twenty years later, authoritarian regimes across North Africa and the Middle East were jarred by the Arab Spring. While democracy has endured Read More …
The Islamic Republic of Iran has held its first elections since the inking of the nuclear deal and the lifting of sanctions. The results indicate a significant increase of reformers in the national assembly. Reformers are also doing well in the Assembly of Experts which will likely appoint a new Read More …
Four out of five stars This is a slow-paced but intriguing Iranian film about a young woman from a city on the mainland sent to a small island to collect votes for the national election. She is accompanied on her mission by a local soldier who is initially baffled by Read More …
Russia and the area that’s now Turkey got along back in the Middle Ages. Muscovite princes sent pelt-filled barges down the Dnieper to Byzantine princes. Relations have been rather bad since then. The two countries fought in the First World War and a half century before that, several European powers Read More …
Many states have been supporting various sides in Syria. This has contributed to the stalemate of the last few years. Last fall Russia upped its position by introducing airpower, and Iran did the same by sending in IRGC troops and militias it recruited from the Shia world. It’s tempting to Read More …